Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-04-16
THE FORGED NOTE.
By J. X. S. ("JANE HANNAH").

sign It with his name. Let us tell her
that she is an adorable being, and ask her
II she viii go 20 drive at the witching hour
Of twilight on certain day. 1t will be
such fun!D
And Elmer Richmond nestled in the
fragrant hay in the old red barn. and held
his sides while he shook with laughter.
@Ohi" said his younger brother, Ohio
Richmond, drawing a long breath at the
audacity Of the thing, Il should never
dare 10 do it in the world. Uncle Henry
would surely find us out, and how dread
fully angry he would be. 1t would be
great fun, but I'm afraid not quite honor
able"
aFudgel" said Elmer. at Is always
honorable to have a little fun, and don't
think be would suspect Us at all. The
Rathbun boys are always in mischief up TO
their ears, and I heard them teasing him
about Miss Harrington last night. He
will think at once that they had something
to do with it. If he should speak to me
concerning the letter, I should look as IN
conscious and innocent as possible, and
deny that had knowledge Of it, with per-
feet uncOneern. It isn't at all likely that
he would do SO, however"
and II Uncle Henry should find us out he
would never forgive us"
@Why, how seriously you take the matter,
Ohio. It is only for joke that we do it,
any way. If it is so very wrong, would Aunt
Eva have sanctioned it?"
@Wen, " said Ohio, "you may do it If you
Ike, and won't give you away; but I
could not write the note myself. I should
look 50 guilty II Uncle Henry spoke to me
about it. I am half afraid of him, you
know. I always was"
Il know you are; but am not, and I am
not afraid to write the note. Oh, it will be
such fun She will return favorable an
sWer, Of course. Ha! hal hal"
The conversation recorded above took
place between Henry Riehmonds two
nephews from New York, aged respectively,
~ @e~est5, who, with their mother and Aunt
EA visiting at his farm in New
Hampshire; and, accordingly, when the
household had retired that night, and
Elmer and Ohio were cozily closeted in
thsir room up stairs, the fateful deed was
done.
1t was a work of time to compose the
wonderful note; and then to write it in
imitation of Henry Richmond's rather
peculiar, lawyer-like hand, required nc
small amount Of time and care. 1t was moi
finished until after midnight, but it was
pronounced a masterpiece. It ran thus:
my SWEET LITTLE ASGEL-Your adorable
countenancs has haunted me ever since I hrst
GaWyou- must look in those charming eyes and
hear that sweetest voice again very soon. VII
you indulge me in the bliss Of driving with yoJ
on Saturday at twilight2 II so. viii come To-
you at O'Clock. Please let me hear from yoJ
soon. and. o my darling, do not. entreat you
say no to your devoted adInirer,
HENRY RICHMOND"
Il have nothing in the world to wear Il
the lawn party, Aunt Huldah, said Mar
Harrington, "and yet nothing in the worlt
viii tempt me to stay away. In the frs
place, It was little less than a miracle tina
I was invited"
Mary Harrington was a stranger il
Champion, and her aunt, Mrs. Huldal
Lawson, who had been a widow for man,
years. and whom she was visiting, did no
go into society at all. But the river raj
Just back Of her aunt-s little cottage; ant
sAere Mary went out for solitary row on
lovely evening, and made the Acquaintance
Of the Richponds, the great people of tn
place, very unexpectedly. Young Elme
Richmond was out rowing his mother an,
her sister, Miss Eva Carleton, and, through
some accident, lost one Of his oars; tn
boat was drifting away in the most help
less manner, for The tide was strong. whel
Mary went to the rescue, and took tn
party into her own boat, rowing then
safely to the shore. After that she me
them again and again, and they were al
disposed to be very civil, especially Mr.
Henry Richmond, who was determined tina
IA af- -eua lar alnr inf
her esther she was willing or not.
- cell tn t=zth, Mrs.. William Rich
mond was n@Axious that her brother-in
Law should bssome acquainted with Mary
for she was not only very pretty. but yer
bright and attractive. And it was very evi
dent that she was nobody, or she would no
be the niece Of old Mrs. Lawson, and YEA
print dresses all day and not scrap o
iswslry; though she carried her head like
young princess and her manners were a
proud ana indifferent as their own.
Henry Richmond was expected to MARI,
somebody; he had a right TO be expected {,
do so. The Richmonds were an old arts
tocratie family, and Henry was a hand
some, manly fellow of 80 years, with a tall
erect figure. broad shoulders, curly, red
brown hair and beard, and dark blue eyes
Mrs. William Richmond ecnhded hel
fears on Henry's account TO her mother-in-
law before he had spoken hardly a dozeI
words TO Mary.
Nonsense" said Mrs. Richmond, Sr
@As If Henry would ever stoop to the
niece Of old Mrs Lawson. She
seems q pretty, well-behaved girl
though and must be very lonely. thinA
you had better be civil to her, Carlotta
Ny husband always liked the Lawsons.
They are an honest race, though, Of course
the Riehmond's did not associate with
them"
Srm not so sure that there is no danger
mother. Henry is very much fascinated
by her already. But, indeed, I find hel
very agreeable myself, and. if you say So
VIII invite her to the party we we're plan
ming for the twenty first"
II am not afraid for Henry" replied
Mrs. Richmond. she thinks a great deal
Of blood and if he does not wish 10 marry
Eva he viii certainly not marry into any
family Of less consequence than hers"
Champion - very old town, and the
old families of Champion consider them
a1lvsa superior 70 ali the world. So Mary e
invitation 70 the party was great surprise
% her aunt who, ever since her childhood,
had looked Wonderingly ct the audaeious
aa1eelte1s, -Y=-- which dared g show